Third grade student Joana Conchas completes a math problem in front of class at Breckinridge Franklin Elementary School. September 26, 2013 / Aaron Borton/ Special to The Courier-Journal

Written by

Antoinette Konz

The Courier-Journal

This year’s test scores mark the second year of the Unbridled Learning testing system, which measures roughly 500,000 Kentucky students in grades three through 12 in reading, math, science, social studies and writing.

Here are some questions and answers about the system and what it means for schools and students as test results are released Friday:

ANSWER: Unbridled Learning is the name given to the school accountability system in Kentucky — designed to ensure all children reach their learning potential and graduate from high school ready for college and a career. Schools receive an overall score of 1-100 based on their achievement in content areas, scores for achievement-gap students, student growth in reading and math, college and career readiness and graduation rates. They then receive a percentile rank among elementary, middle and high schools statewide. They are also judged on whether they met their goal score and receive a classification status — Needs Improvement, Proficient or Distinguished — and whether they are progressing.

Q: Why is there a new system?

A: Senate Bill 1, enacted in 2009 by the state legislature, eliminated CATS and called for a new testing and measurement system, plus new academic standards in core subjects. Kentucky adopted the Common Core Standards in reading and math in 2010, with students first tested on them in spring 2012.

Q: What are the Common Core Standards?

A: These standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be challenging and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that students need for success in college and careers

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Q: What happened to No Child Left Behind?

A: After the federal No Child Left Behind Act was passed in 2001, schools and districts received two “scores” — one for CATS and one for NCLB.

In September 2011, the U.S. Department of Education announced that states could apply for a waiver from No Child Left Behind and develop their own accountability standards. Kentucky received a waiver, which means public schools and districts now receive just one score.

Q: What happened to AYP?

A: AYP, or adequate yearly progress, was the measure used under No Child Left Behind to determine whether schools were meeting academic standards. Schools that made AYP weren’t subject to consequences such as allowing students to transfer to better-performing schools or school overhauls. In the new system, each school and district will instead have an “annual measurable objective.” Schools and districts are measured in part on whether they meet that goal.

Q: Can the new test scores and accountability measures be compared to previous years’ tests?

A: No. Kentucky adopted new standards in reading and math, and the tests for those subjects cover different items and are more challenging. The accountability labels are also different from those in the past.

Q: How can I get a copy of test scores for my child or his school?

A: The Courier-Journal is posting the results and report cards Friday for every school in every district at www.courier-journal.com/testscores. JCPS will send individual test scores to parents next month; parents may also go to their child’s school and request copies of the results.

Q: What do these scores mean for my child?

A: Unbridled Learning is designed to judge individual schools, not individual students. However, the results are designed to let a parent know if his or her child is on track to be ready for college or a career as early as third grade. Parents may use these results to compare their child’s progress against the school’s. They can also use the results as one indicator — along with classwork, other test scores and teacher and home observations — of their child’s progress.

Q: Are there specific results I should pay particular attention to as a parent?

A: Officials say parents should look at how their child scored, but also at how the district and state and other schools scored. During the first year of the test, scores were lower, but officials expect them to rise, albeit more slowly than they would like.

Q: How can I help my child’s school do better?

A: Ask your child’s teacher or principal what the school has done to improve. Ask what you can do to help the school reach its goals. That may include helping at the school or doing activities at home with your child.